1. Welcome! Please sign in at the table and then find your child’s seat. Feel free to use the markers and note paper at each table to write your child a special note.

2. Ms. Kristen Weller First Grade Teacher

3. Take Home Folders o Please check your child’s Take Home Folder every night and bring it back to school.

4. o All students should bring a snack and drink. o Snacks and lunches should be separate. o If your child is buying lunch, send in lunch money in an envelope with their full name on it. Snacks and Lunch

5. o If you would like to bring in a snack for your child’s birthday, it must be from the Healthy Snack List. NO NUTS! o Birthday invitations must go through Mr. Kirkby Birthdays

7. o If there are any changes regarding dismissal, please email me or send a note in your child’s folder. o Students can only ride their own bus.

8. MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday GymMusicArtGymLibrary

9. o Students are expected to do their best listening and learning throughout the day. o A behavior chart is used in class to encourage positive behavior. It will also serve as a warning and consequence for negative behaviors. o “How Was My Day?” chart is used to inform you of their daily behaviors o Anyone who ends the day on blue, will have a note attached explaining why Behavior Expectations

10. Yellow Outstanding! Your child has been an outstanding role model for their classmates today! Green Great Job! Your child made really great choices today. Purple Ready to Learn Your child followed the rules and had a good day. Orange Make better Choices Your child needed a warning/reminder of our class behavior and expectations. Blue Parent Contact Your child made several poor choices after being given a warning. Behavior charts should stay in folders until the end of the week.

11. o Encourages students to be “real readers”. o Reader’s workshop allows the opportunity to tailor instruction more individually and appropriately for each student Reader’s Workshop = mini-lesson + independent reading In our Reading Workshop your child will: * Listen to and respond to literature read aloud by me * Receive small group reading instruction * Read books on their own at their specific reading level * Work with a partner- read and discuss texts Reader’s Workshop

12. This instruction will help your child to: * Learn word attack skills * Learn different reading strategies * Focus on comprehension All students will be reading their own “Just Right” books that they are interested in Goal: To develop life-long, passionate readers Reader’s Workshop

13. How You Can Help The best way you can help your child to become a better reader is by helping them enjoy reading! o Students should be reading for at least 20 minutes a night. (Please keep track of the books they read on their Reading Log) o Reading to them, discussing books helps build comprehension. o Helping them choose “Just Right” books, as well as books they enjoy.

17. I am looking for Mystery Readers to share their love of reading with us this year! If you would like to surprise your child by coming to read to us, we would love to have you! We will be welcoming Mystery Readers throughout the year on Fridays at 11:10. Email me if you are interested! Mystery Reader

18. Scholastic Books o Sent home once a month o Can be ordered from catalog (send in a check made out to Scholastic Reading Club) o Or ordered from website (can choose books from any grade level catalog) o Class Code: MBLJ8 o Points are used to expand our classroom library

19. Writer’s Workshop Students are REAL writers. They will go through the writing process just like every author does. Writer’s Workshop = mini-lesson + independent writing Focus on Four Writing Pieces: o “Small Moments” o Information o Opinion o Narrative Goal: Promote confidence in students’ ability to express ideas through their writing

20. Each child will have a writing folder that will serve two purposes: 1.Hold their writing throughout the year 2.Be used to help with ideas for their writing Due by Thursday, September 24 th Writing Folders

21. o Encourage writing in any way o Journals, To Do lists, reminders, grocery lists… o Focus on how writing can be used, NOT on spelling (stretching and spelling the best you can) o Inventive spelling How You Can Help

22. Word Work Sight WordsWord Study Words that students should be able to read immediately. They should also be able to spell these words correctly. Four words a week Students will explore patterns and relationships in words. This knowledge can then be applied to reading and writing more words. Focus on one pattern each week. *Students will be tested on these skills every Friday.*

23. Math o Go Math! o Aligned with the Common Core o Students will be using models, manipulatives, pictures, and symbols to build mathematical understanding. o Focuses on solidifying understanding of basic concepts before learning new concepts o Differentiated instruction for all learners o Students will be focusing on: o Addition o Subtraction o Comparing Numbers o Two Digit Addition and Subtraction o Measurement o Data o Geometry

24. Students will have homework each day. Please encourage your child to work on their homework independently. 1. Math- sent home/returned daily 2. Sight Word practice 3. Reading Log

25. Sight Word Homework o Sight Word Homework will help your child practice writing the four sight words that we focus on each week. o Each night they have to choose one activity to do from the choices. This will be checked at the end of each week. o They MUST DO sentences one night.

26. o Students should be reading for at least 20 minutes a night. o Use the reading long to keep track. It should be kept in your child’s folder until the end of each month. I will check it periodically. Reading Logs

27. My class website is used to keep you informed of important information, events, homework assignments, and what we are learning. I will update the website every Monday with the week’s homework and events. Ms. Weller's Website Subscribe to “e-alerts” Class Website

28. Email me with any questions, comments, or to set up a time to meet. kweller@edgewaterschools.org Thank you!